Clemson joins offers for Alabama linebacker

Clemson linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Brent Venables joined the race for LB Amonte Caban of Smith’s Station, AL on Monday. Venables made the call to Caban and near the end of a 15 minute conversation surprised Caban with a Tiger offer.

“He said he liked the way I play the game,” Caban said. “He said I have good instincts and I’m good in space and I will fit well with the team. He said he liked my explosiveness and my violent nature.”

Caban was excited to get the Clemson offer. “The offer means a lot,” he said. “It’s a great program up there. I didn’t know I was going to get the offer because I haven’t talked to them much. It really meant a lot to me.”

USC linebackers coach Kirk Botkin offered Caban several weeks ago and the two talked again on Monday.

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“He said he wants to coach me and said the same things coach Venables said,” Caban said. “I talk to him about every week.”

Botkin was by Caban’s school last week. Recruiters from Tennessee, Ole Miss, UAB, South Alabama and Southern Miss have also been by. Caban has visited USC, Mississippi State, UAB and Auburn. He was at USC for junior day in March.

“I liked it up there,” he said. “I really liked the weight room.” He plans to visit Clemson the first week in June and will make a return trip to USC this summer. He also plans to visit Mississippi State, Louisville and Kentucky.

Caban also has offers from Mississippi State, Kentucky, Cincinnati, UAB, South Alabama, Alabama State, Troy, Jacksonville State, Western Kentucky and Southern Miss. He wants to make his decision by the end of summer.

Last season Caban, who plays inside linebacker, registered 140 tackles and 3 sacks.